I wake up with a raging hard-on. I dreamed of Savannah’s face lost in pleasure on a loop last night. The entire night was great. The moment she opened the door in that sexy dress, I wanted to devour her. When a tiny bit of sauce was left on her lip from her food, I wanted to suckle it off and then move down her body, kissing every damn inch of her. I squeeze my cock, giving it a few hard tugs trying to release some of the built-up pressure.

Savannah fell asleep on me after her orgasm last night. I held her through the entire second movie, listening to her breathe, hanging somewhere between heaven and hell. Heaven—I had this beautiful girl whom I’ve been salivating for since the moment I saw her. Hell—that I was holding this beautiful girl with a bad case of blue balls.

After waking her up, we kissed until we were the last car in the field. I held her against her front door, kissing her until she was breathless. When I pulled away, Savannah’s already plush lips were swollen and pouty. I sucked her lips and played with her nipples until she agreed to a second date—today.

I hopped in an ice-cold shower when I got home. I didn’t want to take it any further last night. I know she is hiding things from me. I’m not going to push her on it. Yet. I’ll have to earn that trust, but until then, I’m not going to risk losing her to a stupid mistake. It would be a mistake if I followed the wrong head.

I look out the window, seeing it’s a perfect day for what I’ve planned. But first, I need to work out some energy.

I grab my gym bag and head to my Jeep. My steps falter as soon as I step out of my house. The front tire on the driver’s side is completely flat. I walk over to it to inspect it closer. There is a small knife wedged into the tire. I step out to the street, looking up and down, but the neighborhood is quiet, as usual. Something in my gut tells me this is intentional.

I take my phone out of my pocket, dialing a number. “Hey, brother,” Hudson answers on the second ring.

“Hey. I need a favor.”

“What’s going on?”

“Some asshole stuck a knife in one of my tires. I need a ride to a shop so I can buy a tire. I don’t have a spare for the set I bought and haven’t had a chance to go pick up a spare.”

“Shit, man. I’m at Raise the Bar right now. It’s across from the shop. Text me what you need, and I’ll bring it over. No sense coming to get you when I’m right here.”

“Appreciate it, man.”

I hit the pavement for a run. It’s not my ideal workout, but it will do in a pinch. My mind races as my feet hit the pavement. I think about each person I’ve encountered since being back in town. Thinking about who knows where I live. I keep coming up blank. Maybe my gut is wrong, and it was just some neighborhood kids looking for trouble.

When I get back home, I chug a bottle of water before flipping on the coffee machine. Hudson rings the bell a moment later. When I open the door, I find James with Hudson.

“Hey, y’all. Thanks for helping.” I follow them back the driveway. James’ huge blacked-out SUV is parked behind my Jeep. He walks around the back of the SUV, opens the gate, and hauls the tire out. I take it from him and set it next to my Jeep.

As I’m opening the garage to get what I need to change the tire, James asks, “Any ideas?” I turn back to him, seeing him kneeling by the tire, studying the knife.

“Who did you piss off already?” Hudson laughs.

I ignore him to answer James’ question. “No clue. My instincts tell me it’s intentional, especially since the blade was left in the tire. Feels like a taunt.”

James nods his head. “I agree. Need help changing it?”

“No, I’m good.”

I use the jack to lift the Jeep, my mind still racing.

“You don’t have a security system?” James asks as he stares at my roofline.

Hudson shakes his head and points his thumb over at James. “This guy is so paranoid. I’m not saying a system isn’t a good idea, but he thinks every person he encounters is untrustworthy.”

“And, you trust too much.” James fires right back. “You can’t trust anyone.”

“What do you have at your place?” I ask James, ignoring Hudson’s ever-present everything-is-great attitude.

“Cameras on the perimeter, door, window, and motion sensors. I can get you all the info so you can order it. When it arrives, I can help with the install.”

“Thanks,” I say, slightly surprised. We’ve been getting along better, but I still think he is wary of me.

He shrugs his shoulders. “If you’re going to be hanging around Savannah and she’s going to be here, I’d like to know you’ll keep her safe.”

“Of course, I would.” I have to admit—even though we’ve only been on one date, the idea of Savannah being in my home warms something in my chest. I’d like to see her there, relaxed and in my space.

After I finish changing the tire, we shoot the shit some more before they leave and I go inside to get ready for my date with Savannah. I told her I would pick her up around lunchtime. I don’t have too much time left to get everything I need.

* * *

My mouth waters when Savannah opens the door. She’s wearing a light blue dress with thin straps, the dress stops at mid-thigh. My cock hardens as I think about sliding this dress up her body.

“Is this okay? You said casual. You know if you told me what you have planned for these dates, it’d be a lot easier for me to get ready.”

I pull her into me, kissing her deeply. My arms wrap around her body, one hand splayed just above the top curve of her ass and the other up the middle of her back to her neck. I tighten my hold, bringing her closer into our kiss. I move my head away from her lips slightly. “Hi, gorgeous.”

“Liam.” She breathes out a sigh.

“I love when you say my name like that.”

I bring her in for another kiss, this one longer. I’m getting lost in her sweet scent and decadent mouth. I break the kiss again, nuzzling in her neck. I kiss her throat lightly then take a step back.

Her face is flushed, eyes bright and excited, lips parted. I wish I could carry her into her house, straight to the bedroom, but I’m determined to show her I want more than that with her. With every woman that came before her, that’s what I would do—straight to a bed. I need more from Savannah.

“Ready?”

“Yep,” she says. “How was your morning?”

“Well, when I walked out of my house this morning, I saw someone stabbed one of my tires, so I had to get that changed. Other than that, it was good—thinking about seeing you again today.”

“Oh, my gosh! What happened? They stabbed it?”

“Yeah, left the knife in it and everything. I’m not sure, but I’m hoping it was just some neighborhood kids looking for trouble.”

She stops right before we get to my Jeep. I turn back to her, and she has a baffled expression on her face. Her head is cocked, eyes wide. She squints, points, opens her mouth to say something, but stops. She looks over at me like I’m slightly crazy.

“Um, Liam...” She trails off again, still staring between my Jeep and me. “Did the person who stabbed your tire also take the roof and doors off your car?”

I throw my head back, laughing a deep, rumbling laugh. “No, sweetheart. I took them off.”

“Why on earth would you do that?”

“It’s an experience, I promise. Come on, get in.” I slap her ass then guide her into the passenger seat.